A viral video showing youths in uniforms associated with the First Aid Group of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah chanting for an AK-47 and threatening attacks in Enugu and Jos has prompted calls for an investigation by the religious organisation and Amnesty International Nigeria.
In the video, which circulated on social media on Monday, the youths were participating in a marching exercise while chanting statements advocating violence against people they described as infidels.
One of the participants was heard saying, “Aban AK, Aban AK, Aban AK, Na je Enugu, Na je Enugu, cikin arna, cikin arna, tun ran Sunday, tun ran Sunday, suna murna, suna tapi, suna tapi, na basu wuta, na basu wuta, na basu wuta… tutu tutu tutu tutu… Aban AK, Aban AK, Aban AK, na je can Jos, na je can Jos (meaning: They should give me an AK-47; I should go to Enugu amidst infidels, on a Sunday while they are jubilating and clapping. I’ll open fire on them…tutu tutu tutu tutu (sic).
“They should give me an AK-47, and I should go to Jos to open fire on the infidels there).”
The remarks have raised concerns about the potential incitement of violence against communities in the two states, as well as the participation of young people in activities involving militarised drills and inflammatory rhetoric.
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, an infidel is a person accused of not following the central beliefs of a particular religion or someone who holds no religious beliefs.
Reacting to the footage, the National Chairman of JIBWIS, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, condemned the statements and called on security agencies to investigate the incident.
In a statement published by JIBWIS Nigeria, Bala Lau urged the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant agencies to identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
The statement read, “The National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, has strongly condemned a viral video showing a man dressed in the uniform of the organisation’s First Aid Group, participating in a jogging exercise and chanting provocative statements calling for AK-47 rifles to be given to them to enable them to travel to Enugu on Sunday and carry out an attack.
“Reacting to the disturbing development, Sheikh Bala Lau called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.”
The organisation dissociated itself from the chants, describing the calls for violence as inconsistent with its principles and teachings.
It also cautioned against assuming that the individuals were acting on its behalf simply because they wore uniforms associated with its First Aid Group.
The statement added, “The National Chairman categorically dissociated JIBWIS from the inflammatory statements, stressing that such expressions of violence, intimidation and threats against any community are completely alien to the principles, teachings and objectives upon which the organisation was established.
“He emphasised that wearing the uniform of the JIBWIS First Aid Group or appearing among its members does not automatically establish that an individual is acting on behalf of the organisation or with its authorisation.”
Bala Lau further called for a thorough investigation into the identities and motives of those involved, expressing concern that the video could be intended to damage the organisation’s reputation.
The JIBWIS chairman also cited the organisation’s efforts to promote religious tolerance, including an international conference held in Abuja that brought together Christian leaders, Muslim scholars and other participants to encourage dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Also reacting, Amnesty International Nigeria, in a statement titled ‘Nigeria: Authorities Must Investigate Inciting Izala March Drill Video,’ called for an independent investigation into the footage, raising concerns about the presence of teenagers and children in the marching exercise.
The statement said, “The Nigerian authorities must immediately and independently investigate a horrifying viral video of teenagers and children participating in marching drills led by adult coordinators wearing uniforms of Jama’atu Izalatu Bidi’a wa’iqamatus-Sunnah (JIBWIS) in northern Nigeria.
“The marchers were chanting slogans asking to be handed: ‘AK-47 to attack infidels on a Sunday in Enugu and Jos….’
“The slogans are a vicious display of children being manipulated and indoctrinated with violence and hatred. Such activities deepen hatred and encourage violence.”
The group urged authorities to establish the identities of the organisers, determine where the footage was recorded and examine the activities and messages presented during the youth programmes.
It also called for the protection of minors who might have been exposed to violent rhetoric, including appropriate psychological and educational support where necessary.
The group further cited the Child Rights Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, arguing that children should be protected from exposure to violence, hate speech and recruitment or training in paramilitary activities.
It warned that using religious or youth programmes to promote hostility could endanger communities and undermine freedom of religion.